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As the subject line reads are there chapters where the CM or Captains weild heavy weapons? I notice it from a distinct lack of choice for them in the various codex. Apart from Vulkan who has a built in heavy flamer it is absent. Along with that, it seems quite a few of various leaders for races and such seem to disdain the use of heavy weaponry. So, does anyone really know a reason for this fluff wise or is it just a game thing?
I personally don't see why a Chapter Master for a siege chapter or something wouldn't be exceptionally awesome with a plasma cannon or other such.

You'd imagine that an Iron Warrior or Imperial Fist leader would use a heavy weapon, but I don't think either of them can. I think it's just because the leader is meant to be a close combat person.

ZeFelix42 wrote:As the subject line reads are there chapters where the CM or Captains weild heavy weapons? I notice it from a distinct lack of choice for them in the various codex. Apart from Vulkan who has a built in heavy flamer it is absent. Along with that, it seems quite a few of various leaders for races and such seem to disdain the use of heavy weaponry. So, does anyone really know a reason for this fluff wise or is it just a game thing?
I personally don't see why a Chapter Master for a siege chapter or something wouldn't be exceptionally awesome with a plasma cannon or other such.

I always wanted a special character leader type who carried some ancient master crafter heavy bolter of some sorts, makes sense for any chapter that does not focus on CC

The reason they don't have heavy weapons is because they aren't specialist but more good for leading armies with a selection of character killing weapons but personally I think they should have the options for heavy weapons.

I feel the same I for one would like a captin or chaos lord with a meltagun.

The simple answer is that Warhammer 40,000 is a heroic setting in which it is intended that commanders lead from the front, ideally while waving an oversized sword.

I want a captain with Heavy Bolters where his appendages should be.

More customization in codexes is needed

Not just Space Marines, but any leaders. There's plenty of fluff at least from Black Library and the like that depicts leaders using heavy weapons, and it does make sense. While they're not usually specialists, leaders might have been promoted from units that used those weapons. A Space Marine captain might have been promoted from a Devastator squad, and would prefer a Heavy Bolter to a Chainsword.

It's mostly because they're making out leaders as heroic individuals on the battlefield, leading from the front, risking their lives with their men. However, I would personally love to see these options added, even if usually you're better off making an assault based leader (in the case of Space Marines, their HQ units have assault stats. High Initiative and WS, lots of attacks. Wasting that would be, well, a waste.

Don't expect it to change, it has been an unspoken assumption of the background since the beginning that heroes lead from the front.

English Assassin wrote:The simple answer is that Warhammer 40,000 is a heroic setting in which it is intended that commanders lead from the front, ideally while waving an oversized sword.

I think you nailed it on the leading from the front.
However heavy weapons can be incorporated in cc weapons, like a heavy bolter halbred. Or a plasma cannon mounted on a jetbike like a certain dark angel.

You can lead from the front. Firing with your heavy bolter. This would result in a lot of relentless characters....which would be awesome, and might even make sense with marines.

Heavy weapons teams are meant to hold a single position and lay down cover fire. A leader has to be mobile and be ready to move to another part of the battlefield, it wouldn't make sense for him to lug around a heavy weapon.

But it would be extremely cool.

Back in 1-2nd edition this rule was ok, I used it many times. I think GW fluffed out the leaders to be front line troops and not lead from the rear with a hvy weapon. Heck I miss my old Lt. from 1st edition he had a combi weapon with a bolter, 4 melta guns and a shruken catapult. Its true I rolled his weapon up that way when I created him. But can't use him no more :(

There's nothing to stop a leader using a heavy weapon from leading from the front. It just means he and his command squad don't charge headlong into combat.

However, the whole 'heroic leader' thing in 40k is epitomised by the idea of the leader and his command squad holding their ground against a swarm of aliens or traitors in bloody melee.

But yeah, ever since they had leaders using heavy bolters in Dawn of War, I've wanted a devastator captain. The first time you see that captain in Dawn of War 2 with artificer armour blasting away at Tyranids with a master crafted heavy bolter was completely awesome.

I think it would make sense for a captain promoted from a stern guard squad to be able to take a heavy weapon.

English Assassin wrote:Don't expect it to change, it has been an unspoken assumption of the background since the beginning that heroes lead from the front.

Nah, RT characters could take rolls on the heavy weapon charts to see what weapon they got for the points paid. 2nd ed though they were more towards CC with extra attacks in CC etc.
Not 100% sure but some old eldar wargear were heavy weapons also and currently their autarchs can take missile launchers.

Master of the Ravenwing is an example.
I think if a captain or chapter master wants heavy weapons then he'd most likely use a vehicle that had them.
He's kind of wasted with a heavy weapon as his experience means he's better off going in and fighting the enemy rather than standing back and shooting, might as well be tau.

Captains of the 9th company would definately use heavy weapons. As it is kinda of a requirement to use one in my mind.
Also the Captain of the Armory would as well. Just a thought.

It is mildly depressing to know that previous additions they had such potential options. Besides Vulkan and that Sammael heavy weapons are non-existent. At most I can nab a chaos lord with more weapons than arms. Still, the potential of a leader or such for any race with say relentless or a way to make a heavy weapon assault would be a glorious proposition.
But past that, I understand that most leaders do seem to be an at the front, death or glory kind of people. 'Tis a shame to see the potential of a devastator/havoc leader wasted.

Well, heavy weapons can be taken by some races leaders. For example, Hive Tyrants can take Heavy Venom Cannons and Stranglethorn Cannons. Not that using those on a Hive Tyrant is a wise choice, but the option is there.

The main reason you never see ranged characters with heavy weapons and the like is because GW has no clue how to write rules for a ranged character that kicks ass. Notice how even the Tau characters (except for Shadowsun, who sucks) are close-combat based (not to say that most of the Tau characters who even manage to focus on close combat suck. I'm looking at you, Space Pope!)? It's because close combat characters are just way easier to write.

None of the Tau special characters are any good. Maybe R'alai, once his new rules are out in IA:A 2E. But, 4/5 of the legal Tau special characters do have strength 6 or higher weapons. Unnamed commanders can take weapons up to strength 8.

I think the only SM Captain i've ever seen wielding a heavy weapon was Davian Thule in DoW2, his weapon was a heavy bolter before he got stuck inside a dreadnought

Fafnir wrote:The main reason you never see ranged characters with heavy weapons and the like is because GW has no clue how to write rules for a ranged character that kicks ass. Notice how even the Tau characters (except for Shadowsun, who sucks) are close-combat based (not to say that most of the Tau characters who even manage to focus on close combat suck. I'm looking at you, Space Pope!)? It's because close combat characters are just way easier to write.

Magna Ra Wants to have a word with you.

You and I both know no one in their right mind would pay 195 points just for his shooting abilities. Good as they are, they're not 200 points of good. He's good because he's S6 in close combat. And even then, he's not that good when you consider his price.

Fafnir wrote:You and I both know no one in their right mind would pay 195 points just for his shooting abilities. Good as they are, they're not 200 points of good. He's good because he's S6 in close combat. And even then, he's not that good when you consider his price.

I like him but in the fluff he is like 500000x better.
He is kinda underpowered. He needs an upgrade. Plus Crack Shot + the other ability is awesome to use because he fire twice. if only his weapon was a reaper weapon!